Webinar: Engaging the Safety Net in Health Care Reform

May 9, 2012; 3:00–4:00 pm (EDT)

This webinar will summarize the deliberations and results of NASHP’s National Workgroup on Integrating a Safety Net into Health Care Reform Implementation. The group includes state and federal officials, national experts and associations, and safety net systems representatives. The group worked to identify issues and develop policy options, focusing on integrated delivery systems, workforce, and financing. A recent NASHP report, Toward Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable Populations: Issues for Policymakers’ Consideration in Integrating a Safety Net into Health Care Reform Implementation, highlights the work of the group. The National Workgroup and this webinar are made possible by a grant from The Commonwealth Fund.

> Register here

Grant Opportunity for Rural Areas

You could be eligible for a grant up to $500,000 to support distance learning and telemedicine services at your organization. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is a competitive grant with around 100 awards each year. This grant targets rural areas and funds programs that are interested in implementing distance learning and/or telemedicine in rural areas to increase access to clinical and/or educational services.

TECHFunds Resource Center and Solutionz Conferencing Grant Program Services have partnered together to assist organizations with applying for and securing grant funding to support your distance learning and telemedicine needs, providing as much or as little assistance as needed, including grantwriting services.

To obtain additional information about the DLT grant program you can visit their website or contact Irene Alvarez directly at Irene@techfundsresourcecenter.com.

Conference: Bridging the Divide - Suicide Awareness and Prevention

May 18, 2012; Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO

The 2012 Bridging the Divide: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Summit is designed to highlight innovations in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention, and will offer programs and initiatives designed to reach people in all aspects of life.

> Register Now

Healthy Clinic Assessments!

ClinicNET is pleased to offer contributing affiliates Healthy Clinic Assessments on the day-to-day operations and activities of your clinic.  This assessment is designed to identify internal processes at which staff excels and to discover areas for improvement.  The Healthy Clinic Assessment offers preliminary insight allowing ClinicNET to provide or recommend services to ensure the clinic has a strong foundation that can support strategic patient care initiatives positioning you for success with health information technology, meaningful use, patient-centered medical home certification/recognition and more.  We can assist you in optimizing workflow, billing, coding and we can help you address comprehensive revenue and business modeling.


We are pleased to offer contributing affiliates this technical assistance and look forward to hearing from you. Please email brooke.powers@clinicnet.org for more information.

Webinar: Applicant Information Session

May 4, 2012; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Colorado Health Foundation is hosting an application information webinar for prospective grant applicants. The webinar gives representatives from nonprofits that work in health care, health coverage and healthy living a chance to learn about the Foundation's grantmaking program. Staff also review the Foundation's funding priorities and take questions about any part of the process.

This webinar requires advanced registration. Please note that participation in the webinar is not a required part of the application process.

> Register now

Webinar: Continuity and Resiliency for Health IT Systems

April 27, 2012; 2pm ET

The webinar "Continuity and Resiliency for Health IT Systems: Preparing for Unforeseen Events" provides expert advice on how health information technology (IT) can help primary care and rural inpatient providers prepare for and overcome an unforeseen event. When these events – such as a flood, data loss, power outage, snowstorm, or a public health crisis like an influenza outbreak – occur, health IT systems can be a valuable tool to ensure continuity of patient care.

Speakers will present case studies and lessons learned based on their own experiences of how their health IT systems helped them prepare for and overcome these events. They will also focus on how safety net providers can build a resilient health IT infrastructure and system, as well as work with local and state government entities to prepare for an unforeseen event.

> Register Now

Primary Care Fund Application Process FY 2012-13

The Primary Care Fund was created through the collection of additional tobacco taxes in Colorado. The monies in this fund are allocated to health care providers who meet specific qualifications. Any health clinic that meets the Qualified Provider criteria may apply.

Monday, May 7, 2012            Application Form Released

Monday, May 21, 2012          Questions Due from Applicant Agencies &  Intent to Apply  Notification  Due from Applicant Agencies to karen.talley@state.co.us

Tuesday, June 5, 2012            Pre-Bid Conference for Applicant Agencies

Tuesday, June 19, 2012 (By 3:00 PM)  Application Responses Due

Tuesday, July 31, 2012           Award Notification

Awards are based on the percentage of medically indigent clients the provider serves. Click here for more information.

How Healthy Is Your County?

Curious to know which counties are the healthiest—and least so—in every state?   How about where your county ranks in terms of smoking and obesity rates, physical inactivity, air pollution, numbers of fast-food restaurants, and other contributors to public health?

The 2012 County Health Rankings report, the third annual, is out today and provides a treasure trove of such data—29 measures in all—for each of the 3,005 counties in the U.S.

> Read the full Wall Street Journal Article

CMS Innovation Center Update: Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative

The CMS Innovation Center has selected seven geographic markets to carry out the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative, a new multi-payer approach that aims to strengthen the primary care system while achieving better health care and lower costs through improvement. These markets were selected based on a pool of applicants, which include private health plans, state Medicaid agencies, and employers, that proposed to pay for and support comprehensive primary care coordination in partnership with Medicare. The markets represent a diverse range of regions spanning both coasts, the midwest and south, and rural and urban communities. The selected markets are:

• Arkansas: Statewide
• Colorado: Statewide
• New Jersey: Statewide
• New York: Capital District-Hudson Valley Region
• Ohio: Cincinnati-Dayton Region
• Oklahoma: Greater Tulsa Region
• Oregon: Statewide

Once the participating payers in each market have agreed to the terms and conditions to participate in the initiative by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with CMS, the Innovation Center will release the application for primary care practices to participate in each market. Approximately 75 primary care practices will be selected to participate in the initiative in each designated market.

These practices will receive a new care management fee on behalf of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to support enhanced primary care services for their patients. The enhanced services will include: improved care coordination; increasing patients’ access to care; delivering preventive care; engaging patients and caregivers in managing their own care, and providing individualized, enhanced care for patients living with multiple chronic diseases and higher needs.

More information on these markets and the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative is available at innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/comprehensive-Primary-Care-Initiative

Colorado Eligibility & Enrollment Medical Assistance Program Qtrly Work Group Meeting

The Colorado Eligibility and Enrollment Medical Assistance Program Quarterly Work Group Meeting

 April 26, 2012
10:30 AM to 12:00PM

State of Colorado, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
225 East 16th Avenue, Denver CO, 80203
First Floor Conference Room

Call in Number is
877-877-2130
Passcode
72734993

Agenda Items:
1.  IEVS Interface
2. WAwD Buy-In
3. AwDC
4. Open Discussion

Questions Can Be Sent To
Workgroup_COEEMAP@maximus.com
Early Questions Are Encouraged

New Delay for ICD-10 Implementation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed delaying the effective date for use of the ICD-10 coding system.  While it had been announced that the proposed effective date would be October 1, 2013, the new proposed date is ICD-10:  October 1, 2014.  HHS hopes that the additional time will give providers sufficient opportunity to make the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 more smoothly.  Part of the motivation for delaying ICD-10 implementation was the experience HHS observed making the transition from 4010 to 5010.  Full adoption and implentation of the 5010 platform is essential to adoption and use of the ICD-10 classification system.

The date change will not be official until publised as part of a final rule.  However, HHS does not anticipate serious opposition to delaying the ICD-10 effective date.

Comment period for School-Based Health Centers

The 5 Day Public Comment period for the School-Based Health Centers policy statement opened March 27, 2012 and close on May 11, 2012. The Public Notice and the draft policy may be accessed at Colorado.gov/hcpf, click “Boards & Committees,” click “Benefits Collaborative,” and click “Public Comment: Proposed Policy Statements.”

Report: Strategies to Integrate Behavioral & Physical Health Through HIE

According to a newly released CORHIO report, over 97% of the Colorado behavioral health community surveyed agrees that the ability to securely exchange behavioral and physical health information electronically across providers will add value to the health care system. In case of emergency, or transfer between care facilities, providers can have appropriate, real-time access to their patients’ medical records ensuring fewer treatment errors and costly duplication of tests.

However, nationally, the adoption and use of the health information exchange (HIE) by the behavioral health community continues to lag behind other medical providers due to policy and practice barriers, and concerns about access to and vulnerability of information.

> Read the full report here

Webinar: Building Medical Home Neighborhoods through Community-Based Teams

April 18, 2012; 2:30-4:00 pm (EDT)

Community-based teams can help medical home providers offer primary care that is coordinated, whole-person oriented, and integrated with local community resources. Nine states currently use this model; others are exploring similar strategies. Hear from program leaders in Alabama, Michigan, and Minnesota about why they are adding community-based teams to their medical home programs. Speakers will also discuss plans for financing and structuring these teams, and how the teams will manage care for complex Medicaid enrollees. This webcast is made possible by The Commonwealth Fund

> Register here

Documentary Viewing: Weight of the Nation

HBO Documentary Films, the Institute of Medicine, the CDC, the National Institute of Health, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente present:

WEIGHT OF THE NATION

You're invited to an early viewing of the documentary on Monday, April 16. If you would like to attend, it is recommended that you arrive early.

5:30PM • HEALTH EXPO
Featuring Tips on Healthy Living, Interactive Activities & Prizes

6:30PM • SCREENING
Part 4 “The Weight of the Nation: Challenges”
Broadcast on monitors in Daniels Great Hall

7:45PM • WEIGH IN ON THE WEIGHT OF COLORADO
Town Hall Discussion
Live, Interactive Simulcast

Location: The Cable Center
2000 Buchtel Boulevard
Denver, CO 80210

Project Health Colorado Launches New Forum for Coloradans

The Colorado Trust has announced the launch of Project Health Colorado, a new public campaign to raise awareness and engage Coloradans in a dialogue about important health coverage and care issues in our state.

With the launch of Project Health Colorado, television, radio, newspaper, digital and billboard advertisements will begin running across the state, posing the questions on ProjectHealthColorado.org. The Project Health Colorado website also features commentaries and answers from an array of experts, providing information, answering questions and showing that Coloradans are being heard when it comes to health care.

Interested in sharing your opinion? Join the conversation.

NAFC 2012 Annual Summit

The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics is holding their annual summit this October.

WHEN
Monday, October 22, 2012 8:00 AM - Wednesday, October 24, 2012 11:30 AM

WHERE
Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter Hotel
101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

MORE INFO
View Event Fees
View Event Website
View Event Agenda

CIGNA Foundation Grant

The CIGNA Foundation defines its activities in terms of four primary impact areas. Potential grantees will be expected to demonstrate how their activities positively impact one of these areas:

• Promoting Wellness
• Expanding Opportunities
• Developing Leaders
• Embracing Communities

All organizations requesting funding must be current 501(c)(3) public charities. Although there are no restrictions on amount of funds requested, $5000 is considered a typical grant, particularly for first-time recipients. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis; there is no deadline for receipt of applications, although all funds are distributed on an annual basis by November 30th.

For more information, visit the program website.

Coordinated Chronic Disease State Plan

PSD’s Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch has secured dates for seven community forums across Colorado aimed at:

• developing a shared understanding and vision for a coordinated chronic disease approach in Colorado and
• soliciting community input on a state plan.

A coordinated chronic disease state plan will provide PSD the opportunity to strategically align all resources dedicated to chronic disease prevention, and provide direction for state, local, public and private partners.

The community forum dates are now posted on COPrevent.

Updates from HCPF

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing's March At-a-Glance.

PEAK Updates for April 2012

Several changes have been made or are about to be made to the PEAK system that may affect your clinic's usage:

• All Medical Assistance programs are now a part of the online application. Coloradans can now apply for Adult Medicaid, Family Medicaid/CHP+, Long-Term Care, and the Medicare Savings Program using PEAK.
• Adults without Dependent Children Applications Begin April 1, 2012. Community partners can use PEAK to help reach those adults who don't have dependent children in the home, don't have medical coverage, and earn incomes up to 10% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
• As a reminder, verification documentation for applications submitted through PEAK should be sent to the eligibility office that is processing the application or change report. The final screen of the PEAK online application and the third line of the PDF indicate where the application has been sent.
• How documentation can be recieved varies by county. Check with your local county to find out how they can receive documentation (fax, e-mail, in-person, via regular mail). Click HERE for a list of all county offices. For MAXIMUS, the preference is that you set up MOVEit secure account by e-mailing eemapsupport@maximus.com with your contact information. If you need to speak to someone, the Liaison Line (877.311.4540) is set-up exclusively for community partners and counties. Clients can be directed to use the call center line: 800.359.1991.

Regular webinars and support calls are offered to keep you up-to-date on PEAK:

• The next support call for county and community partner staff will be Thursday, April 5 at 9:30AM. To join the PEAK Support Call, simply dial (712) 432-0220 and then enter in the following code: 5642211#.
• The next Introduction to PEAK Webinar will be April 4, 2012 from 9:00-10:30AM. Please click on the PEAK Training Calendar and enter the password: peak. To hear the audio portion of the presentation, call (712) 432-0220 and enter the access code: 5642211#.
• The next Application Walk-through Webinar will be held April 9, 2012 from 1:00-2:30PM. To join the webinar, please visit the PEAK Training Calendar for login information. To hear the audio portion of the call, dial (712) 432-0220 and enter the code: 5642211#.

Adults without Dependent Children now eligible for Medicaid

On April 1, Adults without Dependent Children (AwDC) under 10% of FPL are eligible to apply for Medicaid. Here are some reminders and a list of resources:

• AwDC Eligibility and Enrollment FAQs - The frequently asked questions for AwDC is a working document and will be updated as necessary. 
• AwDC Manual - This comprehensive resource geared toward eligibility staff has program and policy information and examples of client communications.
• Client assistance tools:  
• Client one-page flyer for counties and community partners to post at their sites, which will give high level program information meant to encourage clients to ask relevant questions. 
• Client Correspondence Summary - A guide to indicate which letters/communications clients may expect with reference to Version 2.0 of the AwDC Manual.

Questions? Please contact Andrea Skubal at HCPF or Aubrey Hill at CCMU.